Onboard roller coaster is the latest cruise ship amenity

As cruise ships one-up each other for bells and whistles aboard, thrill-seekers will be able to combine theme park highs with 360-degree ocean views riding the first ever at-sea roller coaster on Carnival Cruise Line’s Mardi Gras, launching in 2020. The BOLT: Ultimate Sea Coaster will offer nearly 800ft of twists, turns and drops and speeds of nearly 40mph. Mardi Gras, Carnival’s largest ship to date, will have a passenger capacity of roughly 5,200. Riding in one of the electric roller coasters’ two-person motorcycle-like vehicles, passengers will use a pedal to control their speed as they race along the track, sitting 187ft above sea level Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, said: “Mardi Gras will be our most innovative ship ever with some truly special features and attractions, highlighted by BOLT.” BOLT, built by Munich-based Maurer Rides, will culminate with a hairpin turn around Carnival’s signature red funnel. At the end of each race passengers can watch for their speed to be posted then pick up a photo of an action shot from the ride.